quote · Legacy record
First the two eyes that have the seeing power, Stand as one watchman, spy, or sentinel, Being placed aloft within the head’s high tower; And though both see, yet both but one thing tell. These mirrors take into their little space The forms of moon, and sun, and every star, Of every body, and of every place, Which with the wide world’s arms embraced are: Yet their best objects, and their noblest use, Hereafter, in another world, will be; When God in them shall heavenly light infuse, That face to face they may their Maker see, Here are they guides, which do the body lead, Which else would stumble in eternal night; Here in this world they do most knowledge read, And are the casements which admit most light.
First the two eyes that have the seeing power, Stand as one watchman, spy, or sentinel, Being placed aloft within the head’s high tower; And though both see, yet both but one thing tell. These mirrors take into their little space The forms of moon, and sun, and every star, Of every body, and of every place, Which with the wide world’s arms embraced are: Yet their best objects, and their noblest use, Hereafter, in another world, will be; When God in them shall heavenly light infuse, That face to face they may their Maker see, Here are they guides, which do the body lead, Which else would stumble in eternal night; Here in this world they do most knowledge read, And are the casements which admit most light.
Approximate author period: c. 1598 AD · renaissance
Meaning not yet available
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Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Sir John Davies
Attribution: attributed - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Approximate author period: c. 1598 AD · renaissance
author lifetime midpoint (1570–1626)
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 530 · printed citation: Sir John Davies · subject: SEEING—SIGHT
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